"No."
This time, it wasn't Zamasu who answered—it was Primo.
Standing to the side, Primo spoke with obvious regret.
"I only survived that Candidate God of Destruction Tournament because Lord Gran spared my life. I originally planned to visit Universe 7 to thank him in person, but before we even had a chance to meet Lord Gran, we were driven out."
Zamasu also nodded in agreement.
"So you never met him?"
Gowasu and Rumsshi exchanged another glance before falling silent.
Six years had passed since the Candidate God of Destruction Tournament.
Gran had shone brighter than anyone else during that battle.
They couldn't help but wonder how that extraordinary genius had been doing all these years.
"Master, Lord Rumsshi, if we're going to adopt Universe 7's method, which universe should we partner with?" Zamasu asked.
Gowasu came back to his senses and turned toward the elephant God of Destruction.
"What do you think, Lord Rumsshi?"
"I'll leave that to you."
Rumsshi shook his head.
"I'm not very good with this kind of thing. If destruction is needed, just call me."
Gowasu: "..."
Our God of Destruction really is all brawn and no brains.
He turned his gaze toward Zamasu.
"What about you? What do you think?"
After pondering for a moment, Zamasu answered,
"I have two proposals."
"Oh?"
Gowasu was pleasantly surprised.
He had already come up with an idea himself and had only intended to test Zamasu.
He hadn't expected his disciple to come up with two different solutions.
"Let's hear them."
"Yes."
Seeing that Gowasu's and Rumsshi's teacups were empty, Zamasu refilled them before speaking.
"The first proposal is to hold the tournament with our neighboring Universe 11."
"The advantage is obvious. Like Universes 6 and 7, we're adjacent to each other, making travel and organization much more convenient."
"But there's also a major drawback."
"Universe 11 is simply too powerful."
"If we compete against them, Universe 10 has virtually no chance of winning."
Zamasu spoke calmly and elegantly, carrying himself like a refined scholar.
His demeanor radiated righteousness.
"And your second proposal?"
Rumsshi asked.
"Don't tell me it's Universe 9, since they're also adjacent to us."
"No."
Zamasu gently shook his head.
"Universe 9's Mortal Level is only 1.86."
"They're far too weak."
"Partnering with a universe like that wouldn't benefit us at all."
"My second proposal is... Universe 3."
"Why?" Gowasu asked with a smile.
"Because the universes in Grand Zeno's cosmos are arranged symmetrically."
"Universe 6 mirrors Universe 7."
"Likewise, Universe 10's counterpart is Universe 3."
"Universe 3's overall strength is close to ours, making them the ideal partner."
"However..."
"However what?"
"The distance between Universe 3 and Universe 10 is too great."
"That would become a major logistical problem."
Zamasu sighed with disappointment.
"Excellent. Very impressive."
Gowasu nodded in satisfaction.
This was exactly the kind of thinking a qualified Supreme Kai should possess.
It seemed he could confidently entrust the position of Supreme Kai to Zamasu in the future.
"Your analysis is already excellent. There's no need to be discouraged."
He continued,
"Universe 3 is indeed our most suitable partner."
"But because the distance between our universes is simply too great, that fact alone makes cooperation impossible."
"So..."
"We can only partner with Universe 11."
"Although we may be unable to win for a very long time, as long as the Fruit of Life remains the tournament's reward, the people of Universe 10 will never stop striving."
Standing up from his chair, Gowasu clasped his hands behind his back and gazed into the distant sky.
"That is my decision."
Stepping forward, Zamasu asked,
"But Universe 11 is vastly stronger than we are."
"Would they even agree to cooperate with us?"
"They certainly will."
Turning around, Gowasu smiled.
"Once Universe 7 and Universe 6's tournament becomes public, this method will inevitably spread throughout Grand Zeno's multiverse."
"Universe 11 will certainly want to hold such a tournament as well."
"And besides us..."
"They won't have any other choice."
Rumsshi quietly sipped his tea.
Though he usually appeared rather simple-minded, even he understood Gowasu's reasoning this time.
Once the Universal Martial Arts Tournament became popular throughout the multiverse, Universe 11 would border only Universes 10 and 12.
But Universe 12 possessed a Mortal Level above 7.
It was home to countless powerful beings.
Universe 11 simply couldn't compete with them—just as Universe 10 couldn't now.
Universe 12's ideal partner would naturally be Universe 1, which also happened to be its nearest neighboring universe.
Therefore, Universe 12 would never choose Universe 11.
That left Universe 10 as Universe 11's only viable partner.
"I understand now."
Zamasu quickly grasped the logic.
"Good."
"Since we've decided on our partner, let's prepare to visit Universe 11."
Gowasu turned toward everyone.
"Old man, do you need me to come too?"
Rumsshi asked.
"Of course."
Rolling his eyes, Gowasu explained,
"This tournament concerns two universes."
"As Universe 10's God of Destruction, you're the true leader of our universe."
"Without you, how are we supposed to negotiate this partnership?"
Rumsshi looked somewhat helpless.
Still, he didn't argue.
"Kusu."
Rumsshi called out.
With a gentle wave of her staff, Kusu summoned a Universe Cube onto the grassy field.
Leading the group, Rumsshi began walking toward it.
Just as everyone was about to board...
Kusu's staff suddenly emitted a faint glow.
"Hm?"
She checked her staff, her expression becoming rather intriguing.
"What is it?"
Rumsshi asked curiously.
"Lord Rumsshi."
A slight smile appeared on Kusu's lips.
"Someone from another universe has entered Universe 10."
"What?"
Both Gowasu and Rumsshi looked surprised.
Who could it be?
Meanwhile, Zamasu narrowed his eyes.
A strange sense of foreboding suddenly rose within him.
"Who is it?"
"Lord Rumsshi..."
"It's Gran."
"Gran has arrived in Universe 10."
The moment those words left Kusu's lips, everyone's heart was thrown into turmoil.
Their shock was understandable.
After killing Quitela, Gran had been swallowed into the chaotic currents of space-time.
Several years had passed since then.
Throughout those years, there hadn't been a single trace of him.
Yet today...
The Candidate God of Destruction who possessed Angel-level power had suddenly appeared in Universe 10.
"Why has he come here?"
Rumsshi frowned.
"Lord Rumsshi, Gran's strength is terrifying."
Gowasu couldn't hide his concern.
"He didn't come here to cause trouble, did he?"
Zamasu's reaction, however, was completely different.
His vigilance instantly transformed into excitement.
His primary reason for visiting Universe 7 had been to meet Gran.
Now Lord Gran had personally come to Universe 10.
This was simply wonderful.
"Our trip to Universe 11 can wait."
Rumsshi said,
"Let's first see what Gran has come here to do."
"Agreed."
Everyone returned to the tea table.
Rumsshi instructed Kusu to project Gran's movements into the sky.
At the barrier on the edge of Universe 10...
A cubic vessel emerged, passing through the dimensional boundary.
"Wow... the stars are so beautiful."
Bulma leaned against the edge of the Universe Cube, staring outside.
The countless stars glittered like dazzling diamonds, filling the cosmos with breathtaking beauty.
Gran continued steering the cube and replied helplessly,
"I honestly don't know what to do with you."
"Isn't the night sky in Universe 7 beautiful enough?"
"Hehe..."
Bulma giggled.
"They're both beautiful."
Gran ignored her and turned toward the Old Supreme Kai.
"Old Supreme Kai, what's Universe 10's current Mortal Level?"
"Their universe is currently ranked eighth."
"Their Mortal Level stands at 4.50."
"4.50..."
Gran looked genuinely surprised.
If Universe 7 had remained at its original 3.18...
Then Universe 10 would have surpassed them by a full 1.32 points.
"Gran."
The Old Supreme Kai sighed.
"Don't underestimate how difficult it is for a universe's Mortal Level to increase by even 0.1."
"Our current score of 3.80 may seem close to 4.50..."
"But in reality, there's still an enormous gap between us."
"I know."
Gran nodded.
"I was only surprised that Universe 10's Mortal Level was this high."
"They truly are impressive."
The Old Supreme Kai smiled brightly.
"But there's no need to envy them."
"It won't be long before Universe 7 surpasses them."
Shin vigorously nodded his little head, looking as earnest as ever.
The Universe Cube continued gliding forward while everyone quietly observed Universe 10.
"Gran..."
Bulma walked over curiously.
"Are we going straight to find him, or should we look around Universe 10 first?"
"What is there to see?"
Gran replied dismissively.
"Universe 10 is known as the Muscle Universe."
"Their core civilizations all revolve around physical strength."
"I don't even need to look to know that most of the people here are all brawn and very little brains."
Hearing that, the Old Supreme Kai couldn't help bursting into laughter.
Shin hurriedly tugged on his robe.
"Ancestor, please stop laughing!"
"We're on someone else's turf."
"If they hear you, that'll be awkward."
Gowasu: "..."
Rumsshi: "..."
Primo: "..."
Zamasu: "..."
"What's awkward about it?"
The Old Supreme Kai smacked Shin on the head.
"Gran is simply stating the truth."
"And what are you so worried about all day?"
"With Gran here, do you really think they'd dare cause us any trouble?"
Shin clutched his aching head and let out a muffled groan.
He didn't dare say another word.
Silence returned inside the Universe Cube.
Not long afterward, following the Old Supreme Kai's directions, Gran guided the cube toward a planet.
"So this is Universe 10's Supreme Kai World?"
Putting away the Universe Cube, Gran surveyed his surroundings.
Blue skies.
White clouds.
Lush green grass.
It looked almost identical to Universe 7's Supreme Kai World.
"Oh?"
Standing on the grass, Bulma pointed ahead.
"The scenery here is so beautiful."
"There are even buildings!"
Following her finger, everyone saw an ancient courtyard in traditional style.
Before its entrance stood a massive stone monument bearing a single character:
"Kai."
The place radiated antiquity, mystery, and sacredness.
"That's where the Supreme Kais live."
Gran looked toward the courtyard.
"Universe 7 has one just like it."
He also knew that the Time Rings were hidden inside one of the buildings within that courtyard.
"I've found him."
Gran shifted his gaze.
Not far from the courtyard stood a towering tree.
Beneath it sat a tea table.
Two people were seated there, while three others stood respectfully behind them.
The Old Supreme Kai and Shin also looked over.
The moment they spotted the figure standing behind Gowasu...
Their eyes instantly sharpened.
The atmosphere became incredibly heavy.
It felt as though a violent storm was about to break.
Even Bulma sensed the sudden tension.
She instinctively pulled her jacket tighter and hurried behind Gran.
"Come."
Gran strode forward.
Everyone followed closely behind him.
With every step he took, his aura intensified.
He looked every bit like the leader marching at the head of his group.
Meanwhile...
Gowasu, Rumsshi, Zamasu, Primo, and Kusu withdrew their attention from the projection.
Because the projection had already shown Gran arriving at Universe 10's Supreme Kai World.
"This guy came all the way to Universe 10 without doing anything else."
"And headed straight for the Supreme Kai World."
"What exactly is he planning?"
Rumsshi rose from his chair and turned toward the approaching figures.
He had originally intended to visit Universe 11 to negotiate the martial arts tournament.
Instead...
Gran had come knocking on their door.
"Lord Rumsshi..."
Gowasu also stood up, looking nervous.
"Could Gran have come here because of me?"
His anxiety wasn't unfounded.
After all, Zamasu and Primo's true purpose for visiting Universe 7 had already been exposed.
Given the pride of Universe 7's gods...
There was every chance they wouldn't simply let the matter go.
And Gran's strength was terrifying beyond measure.
Even Quitela had died at his hands.
If Gran decided to do something to him...
Gowasu knew he would be completely powerless to resist.
"Don't panic."
Rumsshi said, though every muscle in his body had already tensed in preparation for battle.
"I'm still here."
As Gran and his companions drew closer...
The oppressive atmosphere grew heavier and heavier.
Meanwhile, Zamasu's heart surged with excitement.
At last...
I've finally met Lord Gran again.
END OF CHAPTER
Disciple of Beerus - MrBehringer's Secret
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